The St. Petersburg City Council is scheduled to take their first vote next week on an ordinance that would ban the use of drones over the Firestone Grand Prix track during race days.
The city council has determined the operation of unmanned drones in the race zone and clean zone areas creates a potentially dangerous situation for race car drivers, spectators and other persons in the area, according to the proposed ordinance. If passed it would be the first time drones have been banned for the Grand Prix.
Council member Bill Dudley joked about the proposed ordinance at a workshop today, "Can we shoot them down?"
Council member Karl Nurse, who's district covers downtown St. Petersburg, said he expects the drone ordinance to pass and it boils down to safety.
"You drop a drone in front of a car that's going 150 miles-an-hour, it's dangerous," he said.
Public comment on the proposed drone ban is scheduled for a city council meeting on March 19.